Custom UV-Printed LED Neon Signs vs Traditional Neon Signs: What’s Best for Your Space?

When one thinks about LED neon signs, the classical clear glass neon signs come to mind, followed by text-based LED neon signs that have slowly become more popular.  But, UV-printed LED neon signs have become a new sensation, firing up the imaginations of clients and creators alike in various areas of business including rental, retail, corporate, hospitality; at functions, as well as small homegrown businesses owners, families, singles and couples and anyone who loves a colourful LED neon sign. 

These modern LED neon signs, which simultaneously combine any number of graphics from text-based LED neon with a logo or image, to a single image outlined in LED neon strip are designed with UV printing to produce rich and colourful pictures on a stable acrylic backing board.

They offer an enticing, more secure, electrically effective replacement to typical neon signs, consisting of glass tubes filled with gas and electrical currents. It’s worth considering whether an LED UV neon or traditional neon is more suitable for achieving the desired look and vibe of your LED neon sign.

How have custom neon signs changed, and which type of modern LED neon signage would work best in your space? Let us take a look!

What are UV-printed LED neon signs?

UV-printed LED Neon signs are printed under UV using a clear acrylic base and LED flex strips to resemble neon lighting. They are special because of the UV printing method. It is a method that enables printing of detailed images, logos, and patterns on the acrylic backing itself. The result? Shiny, high-quality LED neon signs that light up in an incredible way.

UV-printed LED neon signs are highly customised. You can combine graphics - including photos, gradients, text that the classic  text-based LED neon sign is unable to accommodate. This allows for a greater expansion and availability of design for brand logos, wedding signs, home decorations, and other unconventional LED neon sign usage.

What Are Traditional Neon Signs?

Traditional neon signs are glass tubes filled with (typically neon or argon) gas. As electricity flows through, the gas emits light of various colours according to the coating present in the tube. They are signs that are more than a century old, yet have a retro appeal to them.

Traditional glass neon signs are a regular fixture in interior design specifically in businesses that utilise retro and vintage feel amongst such design choices as Australian and American muscle cars, jukeboxes and diner-style eateries, cafes, hard rock or punk bars as well as counter-culture clothing and edgy fashion. The retro appearance adds a nostalgic flair and makes it appealing to the lovers of vintage beauty - timeless and classic, a friendly time capsule to while away the hours from the business and stress of daily life.

Advantages of UV-Printed and text-based LED Neon Signs

Customisation on a New Level:

Do you have a photo of a pet, a brand logo, or a cloudy gradient pattern you’d love to have glowing in your space? Or is there a portion of your branding such as “est. 1985” that is just slightly too small to be written in text-based LED neon but is a vital part of your branding? It can be created with UV-printing! UV-printing allows for the smallest detail to be included in your design, especially if it cannot be written in LED neon text simply because of the size of the text.

Safe and Long-Lasting:

No glass. No gas. No heat. Our LED neon signs are made of silicone on a clear acrylic backing board which keeps the LED neon sign child-safe and stable, able to be enjoyed by everyone, indoors and outdoors.

Energy-Efficient:

UV-printed open neon signs are environmentally friendly due to the use of silicone LED strips and a stable clear acrylic backing board and they consume very little power compared to traditional glass neon meaning Neon Party’s LED neon signs can be used for up to 4.5 years depending on usage, assumed usage running at 8 and a half hours a day; ensuring reduced bills and a reduced carbon footprint.

Mobile and portable, installation-ready for temporary or permanent use:

UV-printed LED neon signs are composed of acrylic, which is very light and simple to hang. No technician required at all; all you need is some screws or some adhesive strips, and voila.

Ideal in Contemporary Interior Designs:

UV-printed LED neon signs are a newer trend and a welcome addition to interior design. UV-printed LED neon signs are suited to any environment as they can be customised to suit the theme or vibe and are an intentional choice in decorating, whether the space is contemporary, modern, sparse, airy or colourful and suit everything from bedrooms, weddings, office lobbies, and pop-up stalls at conferences and conventions. UV-printed LED neon signs are the solution for signage and decor that is stylish and modern, whilst incorporating a suitable amount of fun and flair to suit the occasion.

Downsides of Traditional Neon Signs

Traditional glass neon signs have a certain charm, but also have their drawbacks:

Weak and Dangerous:

Traditional glass neon signs are composed of glass tubes filled with neon and/or argon gas and (for specific colours) mercury vapour – a combination that makes them glow brightly when electricity passes through them (this is why they're called "neon" lights). 

Whilst neon and argon gas is not dangerous under normal conditions and in regular containment as they are non-toxic due to their chemically inert nature; the primary hazard of neon and argon gases is the ability to displace oxygen in confined spaces creating asphyxiation risks. The added possibility of harm is the combination of neon and argon gases with mercury vapour which is toxic to human health and can pose possible health risks if mercury vapour is inhaled consistently over a long period of time. 

Traditional glass neon signs are fragile enough to break or crack if bumped or knocked, even whilst being cleaned which could lead to possible injuries due to glass shattering and gases being leaked out into busy or high-traffic areas.

The energy consumption is high:

Traditional glass neon signs are also dependent on high-voltage transformers to provide a stable electrical current to light up, hence, very high electricity consumption. They are not as energy-efficient as newer LED alternatives, so they are expensive to use in the long term.

More Difficult to Customise:

Traditional glass neon signs are created by bending glass while heated and following a specific template to create letters and simple shapes. Glass bending is finicky with little allowance for mistakes making it restrictive to create simple designs only. 

Traditional glass neon signs cannot be customised to include pictures, gradients, or especially intricate designs, therefore, limiting imagination and branding capabilities for your UV-printed LED neon signs.

Costly Repairs:

Traditional neon signs are costly and cumbersome to fix when they break down. Maintenance costs and lost time involve professional help in replacing glass tubes and in handling gas refills.

How to Design the Perfect Custom LED Neon Sign?

• Usage: Determine the purpose of the sign, whether it is to be used as a wedding piece, home decor, as a business logo, or at an event.

• Size and Shape: The area where the LED neon sign will be located or the size of the wall where the sign is to be placed should be measured to specify the exact dimensions in order to accommodate the appropriate size of the LED neon sign to perfectly fit the space.

• Text/Logo: This should be easy to read as well as understand, even at a distance.

Conclusion

Considering whether you want a UV-printed LED neon sign or traditional glass neon is a matter of style, budget, intentional usage within your space and expectations of usage - including how it will improve your space and spark joy. A UV-printed LED neon sign is less toxic and more versatile, and can have extensive artwork. Old-fashioned glass neon is retro and can be more expensive and demanding. Both a UV-printed LED neon sign or traditional glass neon are great in personal use or for commercial display. 

Custom UV-printed LED neon signs are a blend of custom-made, long-lasting design and expression of your personal style. In the mood to illuminate your world with something special and cool? Enjoy our well-stocked collection of contemporary UV-printed LED neon signage with Neon Party Australia! The hub of custom-made UV-printed LED neon signs, where the perfect UV-printed LED neon sign is waiting for you!